Sedum (Stonecrop)

Why Should I Grow Sedum?

There are several reasons why you might consider growing sedum in your garden:

• Drought Tolerance: They are succulent plants that store water in their leaves and stems, making them incredibly drought-tolerant. This makes them a great choice for dry, hot areas and rock gardens where other plants may struggle.
• Easy Care: They require minimal care once established, making them ideal for both beginner gardeners and those looking for low-maintenance plants. They are generally not fussy about soil type, provided it has good drainage.
• Seasonal Interest: Sedums provide year-round interest. In addition to their striking, sometimes brightly-colored leaves, many varieties produce clusters of star-shaped flowers that bloom from summer through fall, when many other plants have finished flowering.
• Attract Pollinators: The nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity in your garden.
• Versatility: There is a vast array of varieties available, offering diverse sizes, leaf colors, and flower colors. This diversity makes sedum suitable for various garden uses, including ground covers, borders, and container gardening.
• Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Thanks to their thick, succulent leaves, they are generally resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits.
• Hardiness: Sedums are remarkably hardy and can survive in a range of climates, depending on the variety, with some being hardy down to USDA zone 3.

Main Sedum Species

Sedums come in a range of shapes and sizes. Here are some of the main species:

• Sedum acre (Gold Moss): This variety forms a dense mat of bright green, tiny leaves and produces yellow star-like flowers. It’s often used as a ground cover.
• Sedum album (White Stonecrop): This type has green to glaucous leaves and produces clusters of starry white flowers.
• Sedum reflexum (Blue Spruce Stonecrop): Known for its spruce-like foliage, this variety has needle-like leaves that are blue-green in color and yellow flowers.
• Sedum spectabile (Ice Plant): This upright variety has broad, fleshy leaves and large clusters of pink flowers. It’s a popular choice for borders and beds.
• Sedum telephium (Orpine): It features clusters of pinkish-purple flowers and is another upright variety often used in flower borders.
• Sedum sieboldii (October Daphne): This species has circular blue-green leaves and clusters of pink flowers. It’s a low-growing variety often used in containers or as a ground cover.
• Sedum spurium (Two-row Stonecrop): An excellent ground cover, it produces red, pink, or white flowers, depending on the variety.
• Sedum rupestre (Angelina Stonecrop): Known for its vibrant golden-yellow foliage that turns orange in fall, it also produces yellow flowers.

Each of these species has its own varieties and cultivars, offering a range of colors, shapes, and sizes.

Garden Design with Sedum

Companion Plants

Sedums are easy-to-grow succulent perennials that pair beautifully with a wide range of plants, enhancing garden design and adding visual interest throughout the seasons. Here are 12 companion plants that are particularly well-suited to grow alongside:

• Ornamental Grasses: Grasses like Blue Fescue or Panicum add texture and movement to the garden and contrast well with sedums’ succulent leaves.
• Coneflowers (Echinacea): Their vibrant, daisy-like flowers and similar drought tolerance make coneflowers a good choice.
• Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia): These plants offer a cheerful contrast with their bright yellow flowers.
• Lavender (Lavandula): The soft, silvery foliage and aromatic flowers complement the texture and color of sedums.
• Yarrow (Achillea): Its fern-like foliage and large, flat flower clusters provide contrast and combine well with sedums.
• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): The tall spires of blue-purple flowers pair well with the low-growing sedums.
• Daylilies (Hemerocallis): With their strappy leaves and colorful flowers, they add great contrast to sedums’ fleshy leaves.
• Salvia: Both the foliage and the flower spikes of salvia plants contrast nicely with the rounder forms of sedum.
• Coral Bells (Heuchera): They bring colorful foliage and delicate flowers into the mix, providing contrast and interest.
• Phlox: The vibrant colors of phlox flowers contrast well with the more muted tones of sedums.
• Asters: Their abundant fall blooms coincide with the flower show of many sedums.
• Agastache (Hyssop): The tall, spiky blooms of Agastache provide a nice contrast to the low-growing sedum. Both plants are drought-tolerant and love full sun.

Growing Tips

Growing Sedum, often known as Stonecrop, is a relatively straightforward task, given their easy-care nature. Here are some tips to help you cultivate these hardy perennials:

• Light: They prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. However, in too much shade, they may become leggy and not bloom as prolifically.
• Soil: These plants prefer well-draining soil. They can tolerate poor soil conditions, even sandy or rocky soils. Overly rich or water-retentive soils can lead to root rot or make plants leggy.
• Water: As succulents, they are drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly after planting, but once matured, they can handle periods without rain. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause the roots to rot.
• Fertilizing: Generally, they do not need a lot of extra nutrition. If desired, a light application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring can be beneficial.
• Pruning: To encourage a dense growth habit, pinch back upright varieties in spring. After the first frost, either cut back the stems to the ground or leave them for winter interest. The faded flower heads offer color and food for birds. Trim groundcover sedums as needed to control their growth.
• Propagation: They can be easily propagated. Division in spring or stem cuttings in summer are the most common methods.
• Pests and Diseases: Sedums are relatively pest-resistant. However, in wet, poorly drained soils, they can suffer from root rot. Good air circulation helps prevent any fungal diseases.
• Winter Care: In colder regions, the tops of the plants die back in winter, but return in spring. They typically do not need special winter protection.

With these tips in mind, Sedums can be a low-maintenance and striking addition to any garden, with their diverse foliage colors and shapes, and vibrant blooms.